Over the holidays people are always asking you things like, "What's your favorite thing about Christmas?" or "What special traditions does your family have?"
And to answer both: giving.
Although my family has never had all that great of means, (Financially, that is.) they do have large hearts. And it's been more than once that they saved Christmas for kids besides their own.
I can remember years in a row where my mother and father have seen friends of my brother and I who's family, come Christmas, was destitute. And instead of sending them a basket, or a box of old canned food, my mother picked them out presents, invited them over for dinner and gave them a sweet memory, along with the carefully and colorfully wrapped packages under the tree.
When I was younger, during the holidays my dad would take me with him as he delivered food boxes from St. Vincent de Paul to different families all over Portland. I can still see the faces of the people he delivered them to. At the sight of my father, carrying box after box of food into their home, their faces would light up, and even to me, the Christmas decorations seemed to shine and sparkle just a little bit brighter.
At every family holiday there can never be too many people. We are collectors of people. Don't have a place to go on Thanksgiving? Come to my family's celebration. There's always enough food. Need to celebrate Christmas? We've got a party, and of course you're invited.
So now that I'm older and have the chance to give during the holidays, I get excited. I start planning presents and crafts weeks before it's really necessary. I dream about what presents to get, I make lists and consider each person carefully. And why do I do so much? Because I love it. I love the look of happiness on someone's face when they open a gift and see that it was picked out especially for them. It fills a special place in my heart with joy. To me, it doesn't matter the size of the gift. If it's small, it's because it's something special. And yes, if it's within my means to give large presents, I will. But it's not out of me wanting reciprocation of equal or lesser value. I just love giving gifts. Big or small, hand made or store bought, having something to give to the people I love is as much of a gift for me as it is for them.
Well anyway, that's my two cents on Christmas.
With love,
Mara
I was thinking about Christmas tonight (funny, huh?). We never had more than one present purchased for each family member..my parents were the ones who sent us Christmas. Even now, Christmas is frugal for us and I feel badly when I see how much we get from my family. There was one time when we saw a tree in a store and the boys saw the tags. They didn't understand how those kids could ask for and get such toys (don't recall what they were now)but we couldn't afford them in our family. We never gave to those kids, but we did give in our church and in other areas. I love family, too. This year will be odd as it has shrunk. It will just be Jon, Steve, Me, and maybe his parents. You know how much I love a party...and parties have been at a minimum lately. Enjoy your Christmas season and know you are in my heart!
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